Members visit a historical manor: now a thriving holiday let and diversified business
We report on a informative and enjoyable CLA Cymru event held at a member's business in Monmouthshire
A CLA Cymru visit to Treowen, the Grade 1 listed seventeenth century manor house managed as a large-group holiday let and wedding venue, residential and commercial lets, farm and gardens, by member John Wheelock and family, saw how restoration of a heritage property can be carried out hand-in-hand with development of a business.
Events Manager, Sarah Davies says, “The Monmouthshire estate consists some 250 acres of let-out prime grassland and 190 acres of woodland. However, in the 1990s, John and his brother Dick set about renovating the house with a view to it becoming a holiday let and wedding and diversifying the estate income by converting a range of redundant farm buildings for residential and commercial lets.”
“This work has also included the installation of discreet solar and highly efficient biomass heat for the manor house and most of the accommodation. There’s a dozen rooms here – and for the functions, a large banqueting room, drawing room and more. The site includes beautiful Tudor gardens managed by family members – and fishing lakes that are leased to Monmouth & district anglers.”
Treowen’s location in South East Wales enables the business to appeal to clients looking for a beautiful, traditional and comfortable setting which is relatively easily accessible. The house appeals to large groups such as extended family holidays and has built up a portfolio of clients who re-book maintaining a family tradition. The accommodation also appeals to other group markets.
“We were joined by Eleanor Carpenter from Cadnant Planning Ltd. She was able to give members a presentation on Historic Buildings – Restoration & Retrofiting - with guidance details and best practice. We’ll look to discussing with Eleanor how we can make available that valuable information.”
“This Jacobean manor was built in 1620 by William Jones, who had connections with the historically important Herbert family. The house contains many original and historical features: a beautiful staircase, fireplace, oak paneling, an ornamental ceiling and more. The project has clearly been a triumph of restoration and sets-up the venue as a prime event location. The site has been used as a film set, notably for the BBC’s Dr Who which is mostly filmed in South Wales.”
“We’re very grateful to John Wheelock and family, and Eleanor Carpenter from Cadnant, for this fascinating and very enjoyable tour-and-talk.”